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EWP Press & Trade Tasting Event 11th May 2015

My pick of the three favourite wines I tasted at the EWP Press & Trade event in London in May.

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A dedicated #EnglishWine & #EnglishSparkling resource, doing our part to promote home grown wines.
Ahead of a launch of an Autumn crowdfunding campai Ahead of a launch of an Autumn crowdfunding campaign, @doctorstephengroves talked with Lance Whitehead of @calancombewines. Stephen writes: "Despite all this success, they have reached what Lance calls an “inflection point”. He wants to make the assets they have already created work much harder commercially. After 14 years of funding everything themselves, they are now considering outside equity investment for the first time. Sales need professionalising, the winery needs to be more efficient at the same time as expanding, there is the prospect of doing contract winemaking and there are several as yet untapped opportunities on the hospitality front, including offering glamping and accommodating weddings. Crowdfunding is a sensible way to finance these developments." The full article continues on GreatBritishWine.com (link in profile)
Sun's out, rosé's out. A return of the sun after Sun's out, rosé's out. A return of the sun after some much needed rain meant that I reached for an English rosé this afternoon. This is the smart looking Stone the Crows Rosé from @crowslaneestatevineyard in the Crouch Valley. Pale pink, but with a vivid nose of oho cherry, raspberry and lemon, and a definite cherry blossom floral hue. There's a lovely purity to the fruit, which is cranberry, wild raspberries and grapefruit ub front, before a fuller cherry and rhubarb and a light vinous richness, with floral and mineral hints on the finish. 100% Pinot Noir, this is another strong Crouch Valley offering.
Tasting a duo of Chardonnay-based wines from Merst Tasting a duo of Chardonnay-based wines from Merstone/Hunger Hill Vineyard. Have you heard of the Voltis grape variety? Both of these wines scored medals in this year's @the.iewa competition Merstone Chardonnay/Voltis 2024 - £24.00 Continuing their penchant for intrigue and innovation, Merstone’s Chardonnay Voltis is, to my knowledge, the first English wine to be released including the PIWI variety Voltis. The Voltis grape was approved for inclusion in Champagne earlier this decade and has been trialled in a number of vineyards in the UK, too. Here, Merstone have blended Chardonnay and Voltis together, from the 2024 vintage. The wine was fermented and aged in old oak. The palate has bright, zesty acidity and crisp green orchard fruit notes up front, with hints of stone fruit and floral notes too. Merstone Chardonnay 2024 - £27.00 For their 2024 Chardonnay, Merstone sourced Chardonnay in 2024 from  Essex. The wine was fermented in old and new oak for 12 months. On the nose, ripe apple and pear, with hints of peach, struck match and toasted spices. The palate demonstrates the warmth of Essex, with ripe orchard fruit and light stone fruit roundness. There’s bright, zesty acidity and saline freshness, which the slightly reductive, toasty finish adds a lingering curiosity. Overall, this is a nicely accomplished Chardonnay.
I recently worked with @dalwoodvineyard to give th I recently worked with @dalwoodvineyard to give their labels and branding a little bit of an updates. I kept the core gold and British racing green elements of the branding, and updated with a bolder, modern look. Really happy with how these new labels have turned out, and the 2025 wines are absolutely banging o ce again. Look out for reviews of both very soon!
When in Provence.... drink (English) Rosé. Obvi When in Provence.... drink (English) Rosé. Obviously this was a planned tongue in cheek post, but I really wanted to enjoy this recently released Marsh Rosé from @burnvalleyvineyard while enjoying the sun overlooking the Mediterranean sea views. And boy, did it deliver. Ripe strawberry and raspberry, cherry and watermelon, with a dollop of creaminess, but not too much! Lovely freshness on the finish; grapefruit, tangerine and cranberry. What a perfect wine to relax with. I'll get on to some French rosé next 😜
The South West of England is home to some of the c The South West of England is home to some of the country’s most celebrated and awarded vineyards. It’s also home to one of the most ambitious in terms of breadth and scale of its tourism and hospitality offering. Lympstone Manor was established as a five-star luxury hotel and restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines MBE in 2017. What makes it really unique is that the hotel is surrounded by 10.8 acres of vines.  I visited @lympstonemanorestatewine during English Week Week for a dosage trial and preview of upcoming 2025 still wines. To say these wines left an impression would be an understatement. Head to GreatBritishWine.com (link in profile)
A delicious, crisp Organic rosé woh concentrated A delicious, crisp Organic rosé woh concentrated red fruit flavours. @oxneyorganicestate Rosé Non Vintage This is confident in colour, with a nose of cranberry, red apple and raspberry with a light pastry complexity. On the palate it’s initially brisk and refreshing, with lots of lemon energy and redcurrant tartness. But then there’s a lovely, juicy, rounded red fruit mix. Full review and links to buy on GreatBritishWine.com (link in profile)
Don't ovwrlook English white blends, such as this Don't ovwrlook English white blends, such as this delicious @newhallwines Signature 2025. An aromatic blend of 45% Siegerebbe, 34% Ortega and 21% Pinot Gris This was one of the standout white wines at the IEWA 2026 earlier this year. On the nose there are inviting aromas that are reminiscent of an English orchard: apple blossom, orchard fruit and hedgerow, but with an exotic twist of lychee. Few review and links to buy for just £16.75 on GreatBritishWine.com (link in profile).
I recently tasted two brand new wines from Black C I recently tasted two brand new wines from Black Chalk with winemakers Jacob Leadley and Zoë Driver; these are the second vintages (2022) of the brilliant Paragon and Inversion. Talking about the approach for the two wines, Jacob told me: “When we set out to create these wines, we basically wanted to add to the range, but we weren’t really sure what we wanted to do. When we went down the clonal route, certain clones shone, and the 777 clone was the catalyst for having this idea for making a Blanc de Noirs and Blanc de Blancs that are slightly outside of what people expect of those two wines.” I was really impressed with the inaugural 2020 release of these wines, particularly the complex, oaky Paragon, so I was really excited to try the latest 2022 vintages. Check out GreatBritishWine.com (link in profile) for my full thoughts.
Everyone knows I love a good #EnglishWine and food Everyone knows I love a good #EnglishWine and food pairing, especially during #EnglishWineWeek. This is @dalwoodvineyard's brand new Devon Rose 2025, a blend of Seyval Blanc and Pinot Noir. This wine combines ripe strawberry and raspberry flavours with zesty lemon and salinity, as well as hints of grapefruit and pink pear drops. The vibrant acidity and tingling salinity made it a delicious pairing by my lightly spiced crab and tomato fettuccine. Also, I've helped Mike give the branding a little bit of a face-lift. This is not the final label, but gives a good impression of the overall new look and feel we are going for with Dalwood.
I've reached breaking point with the heatwave this I've reached breaking point with the heatwave this #EnglishWineWeek. Only solution is sparkling rosé, in the garden, under the sprinkler.... @allangelsvineyard released their brand new Sparkling Rosé 2019 yesterday. A blend of Pinot Gris 55%, Rondo 32% and Pinot Noir reserve 13%, with 6 years on the lees. Beautifully refreshing, but with body. Summer berry, strawberry shortbread, light savoury depth and bursting citrus energy. Another brilliantly complex and engaging release from this boutique Berkshire producer. And sorry for the noise in the background, that was the water hitting my phone from the sprinkler 😅
Sun + Pizza + Smashable Rosé = the ultimate way t Sun + Pizza + Smashable Rosé = the ultimate way to cool down in this heatwave-induced #EnglishWineWeek @FlintVineyard’s Rosé 2025 is a blend of 64% Pinot Noir, 21% Pinot Blanc and 15% Chardonnay and is colourful in and out the bottle. Big on red fruit, with ripe strawberry, cherry and raspberry as well as watermelon and brisk acidity. It’s dangerously drinkable, and I have it on good faith from @dnkrbywine that it even tastes great served over ice! I paired this morish rosé with a meaty, spicy pizza straight out of the Ooni pizza oven. Lush!
Looking for the ultimate English wine getaway? @L Looking for the ultimate English wine getaway? @Lympstone_Manor is a luxury five-star country house hotel, restaurant, and vineyard located in Devon, England. Overlooking the scenic Exe Estuary and the Jurassic Coast, it is the signature project of renowned chef Michael Caines MBE, who transformed the historic Grade II listed Georgian mansion into a premier culinary and hospitality destination. I had the pleasure of visiting during #EnglishWineWeek to discover Michael’s vision in person, where fine food made from local ingredients meets expressive English wines in exceptionally beautiful surroundings. The estate is stunning from every angle; the white manor house perched atop rolling vineyards. Georgeous landscaping can be enjoyed from the hotel rooms and the pool, while Michael Caines' signature Michelin-starred restaurant wows with every plate. And the wines impress just as much as the food; from the textural, lightly oxidative style of the Lympston Manor Estate Classic Cuvée NV, to gold medal-winning Triassic Pinot Noir 2020. And then there's the indulgent Edwards Chardonnay 2022, which paired beautifully with a dish of Cornish Turbot, Jerusalem artichoke and scallop mousseline. I’ll be posting more about the wines, including some exciting upcoming new releases in due course, but felt this highlight reel perfectly captures the beauty of Lympstone Manor.
A closer look at Charmat. Last weekend, I visited A closer look at Charmat. Last weekend, I visited @FlintVineyard, just 30 minutes outside of Norwich in Norfolk. I’ve spent much time focussing on Flint’s brilliant still wines, however, their Charmat, since its introduction some eight years ago, has increasingly become the vineyard’s calling card. Unlike traditional method sparkling wines, Charmat method sparkling, like Prosecco, goes through secondary fermentation in take, rather in the in bottle. The resulting wines are more fruit forward and fresher than the more complex traditional method. That, partnered with Flint’s growing focus on sustainable PIWI varieties, which thrive in England, allow for expressive and playful sparkling wines; particularly the vivid Flint Charmat Rosé. The current releases of the Flint Charmat Rosé (£23), leaps out of the glass with its radiant deep pink hues, and aromas of ripe cherry and strawberries. The palate dances around with bright summer red berry flavours and refreshing lemon citrus bursts. The lift of just over 10g/l residual sugar makes it an immensely quaffable wine, and the perfect moreish partner to the summer heatwave. Flint has continued to expand since it’s planting ten years ago, and this year saw a further 40,000 new PIWI vines planted, with further space to allow for a future winery expansion. Inside the winery is the unusual sight of rows of large concrete fermentation tanks, used for the vilification of Flint’s still wines, such as the aromatic Bacchus and the complex and rich Silex. Meanwhile, tall stainless steel tanks line the other side of the winery, full with vibrant and lively wine destined to become the next Charmat sparkling wine. It was great to finally have a chance to get up to Flint. While I’ve more than once raised an eyebrow at the thought of English Charmat, consider me now a fan!
Continuing my short look at English Sauvignon Blan Continuing my short look at English Sauvignon Blanc, I am back in Surrey with @greyfriarsvineyard Greyfriars planted their Sauvignon Blanc 10 years ago, and this 2025 vintage is the best I’ve had from them to date. Interestingly, 50% of the wine was put through malolactic fermentation, and the remainder left with residual sugar, which has resulting in a wine with elevated texture and depth. Beautiful aromatics, this is quite ready and rich, with vibrant passion fruit and gooseberry, as well as intense lime and grassy varietal typicity. The 6.6g/l residual sugar balances the lively acidity nicely and also lends the wine nicely to Asian food pairings. This is a well priced offering from Greyfriars at £17.50 a bottle. #EnglishWineWeek #SurreyHills
Did you know that we're making Sauvignon Blanc in Did you know that we're making Sauvignon Blanc in England? @abingworthvineyard has launched their Sunken Stones Sauvignon Blanc 2025 recently for £23. It's a delicate, fragrant expression of a grape that can be overwhelmingly intense in warmer climates. Instead, expect fragrant floral and hedgerow notes, zesty lime and light minerality.
I returned to @burnvalleyvineyard for their 10 yea I returned to @burnvalleyvineyard for their 10 year anniversay celebrations. Planted in 2016, Burn Valley has been a producer that has increasingly been on my radar over the last few years. Their Chardonnay 2022 delighted in @the.iewa 2024, taking gold medal and the overall trophy for still wine, and the vineyard triumphed again this year with a Gold medal for their Bacchus Fumé 2023. Owner Laura Robinson and winemaker Matt Abbey hosted us for a collective tasting of the last decade of Burn Valley, comprising of over 60 wines new and old. Highlights included a vertical tasting of their superb Black Label Solaris. Rich and textural, with ripe stone fruit and tropical hints as well as oak spice complexities. A preview of the 2025 vintage shows that there is even more to look forward to. I was also really impressed with the Bacchus Fumé,  particularly the latest IEWA gold winning 2023 with its combination of varietal freshness and oak textures. Another delicious new release is the Marsh Rosé 2025. Made from Pinot Noir, this has gorgeous ripe strawberry flavours and was the perfect refreshment on a hot summer's afternoon. #englishwineweek
Six vineyards in East Sussex have launched England Six vineyards in East Sussex have launched England's first vineyard bus route and region called Rother River Wine @rotherriverwine. The new bus route runs every Sunday and includes visit and wine tasting at three of six vineyards, alternating between @oastbrook @oxneyorganicestate @charlespalmervineyards @mountfieldwinery @tillinghamwines and @sedlescombe_organic. The bus picks you up from Robertsbridge station, which is just one hour from central London, and drives you to and from each vineyard, before returning to the station at the end. The Rother Triangle Bus tour can be booked now for £130 per person, with the first tours running at the end of this month, just in time for #EnglishWineWeek
Continuing my look at @the.iewa Gold Medal winne Continuing my look at @the.iewa Gold Medal winners @HighamVineyard Pinot Noir 2024 The standout red wine in the competition, which is impressive, given the challenges in England in 2024. The Higham’s nose is ripe with red fruit, cracked black pepper and spice. The palate has a lovely balance of youthful red fruit, bright acidity, and lovely peppery depth. It’s light, but layered with fine tannin and a hint of plummy generosity. For more info, check out GreatBritishWine.com (link in profile). Stay tuned for more winners throughout the week.
Continuing my look at @the.iewa Gold Medal winne Continuing my look at @the.iewa Gold Medal winners @MountFieldWinery Blanc de Blancs This is a great example of how extended lees ageing can do wonders for English sparkling. The nose is opulent and rich, full of baked apple, peach and buttered toast. On the palate, there’s a beautiful balance of that rich baked apple and ripe stone fruit, deep nutty, toasty autolytic development with a really brisk, crisp acidity cutting through it all. Really quite wonderful.sh offering. For more info, check out GreatBritishWine.com (link in profile). Stay tuned for more IEWA gold medal winners.
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